Speedometer testing machine



Aug.'9, 1932. H. c. HAEBERLE ET AL 1,371,053

SPEEDOMETER TESTING MACHINE Filed March 11, 1951 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 P22; uFEZ 5 A-TTORA/E/ car thereon and depositing a suitable coin Patented Aug. 9, 1932 Urrs PATENT orics HENRY C. HAEBEBLE AND CLARENCE T. HARRIII \'I'GTON, OF SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA 'srnnnomnrnn rnsrme MACHINE Application filed March 11, 1931. Seria1*No.'521,675.

It is the object of the present invention to self may render it operative by driving his therein.

It is also an object ofthe invention to provide a machine of the character indicated that will be economical to manufacture, of few parts, simple in form and construction, strong, durable, and highly efiicient in its practical application, V

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device embodying our invention.

. Figure 2 is a plan view ofthe same.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 33 of Figure 4. e a.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on line H of Figure 3.

In the form of the invention herein dis closed, we show at 1 a fixed platform with an inclined approach at 2, and at 3 a platform portion pivoted to part 1 as at 4 with its free end supported upon strings as 5 to normally support it in an upwardly inclined position relative to part 1.

At 6 and 7 are two sets of rollers arranged in spaced relation to each other on parallel shafts 8 and 9 journaled in part 1 adjacent the inclined part 2 and below the surface of part 1 as shown whereby the rear wheels of an automobile driven upon the structure will rest upon the rollers in a position to drive shaft 9, the forward portion of the car resting upon the forward portion 3 and depressing it for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

Close beside the platform 1 is mounted a vertically disposed support 10 having a speedometer 11 mounted thereon through the medium of a case or housing 12 into which its operating shaft 13 extendsthroughfa bean ing 14. The end of shaft 13 in case'12 is shaped as shown at 15 to form one portion of a clutch.

The speedometer operated from roller shaft 9 bymeansof shafts 16 and 17 geared clutch portion 2l'complementary to clutch 5 portion 15. Relative rotation of sleeve 20 and shaft 16 is prevented by an engaging pin and slot construction as shown at 22.

It is desirable that the clutch be operated only when an automobile is upon the platform 1-3 and after a suitable coin has been deposited in the housing 12, and this is accomplished in the following manner.

A. push-rod 23 is mounted in bearings 24 in housing 12 and extends below the housing I to a point adjacent the platform 1 3 where it rests over a bar 25 mounted on platform portion 3 as shown. A yoke 26"is. slidably mounted on push-rod 23 and engages sleeve 20 between flanges 27 and 28, and is also provided with a slot 29 engaging a pin 30 in rod 23. F ixedly mounted on rod 23 below yoke 26 is a collar 31, and at 32 is a spring bearing against yoke 26 and collar 31. The spring 32 and slot and pin structure 2930. are so proportioned and arranged that the spring is normally not under tension.

A detent is shown at'33 pivotally mounted in the case at 3% and extending upwardly through a slot 35 in yoke 26 and provided with a shoulder 36 adapted to engage a flange 37 on sleeve 20, and the detent is urged into such an engagement by means of a spring 38 engaging its lower edge and bearing against a support 39. When the detent is so engaged 7 wardly thereby moving the sleeve 20 up- V to be used. slot at 49, and another barportion 50 lsshdwardly to engage the clutch 21-15. These elements are returned to their normal positions by their own weight when the car leaves platform 13.

The detent 33 isdisengaged from sleeve 20 by means of a bar 40 slidably mounted 1n case 12 as at 4141 and carrying a pin 42 engaging slot 43 in the said detent 33. In order thatthe bar 40 may be operated only by depositing a suitable coin a coin slot is ably mounted between case 12 and plate 46 and in alignment 'withbar :40, itsforward movement being limited by the edge 51 of plate 46. 9n the outer endof bar, 50 is.

mounted a pin 52 passing outwardly of the mounted a cap 54 overlying bearing 53, and a case 12 through bearing i53 On'pin 52 is spring 55 is mounted in the cap to bear again'st the same and the end of bearing 53. A coin dropped into slot'45 'is caught betweenthe end 'ofbar '40 and corner. 56 of'pa-rt 48, so that when bar 50 is pushed inwardly the bar is likewise operated throughthe medium" of the coin which drops downinto the case 12 when the pressure on bar 5015 released. The outward movement'of bar 1s hmlted by the wall of the case'itself, and its inward 'movement is limited by the edge 51 of plate 46.

Assuming the structure to have been constructed as described and the driver of an automobile is desirous of ascertaining whether or not his speedometer is functioning accurately. structure 13 Witlr'ltSClIlVG wheels resting upon the rollers as shown. Since the front of the car rests upon platform portion 3 its,

weight depresses the portion 3 causing the bar 23 to operate the push rod 23, thereby placing the spring 32 under tension. The driver nowplaces a coin in slot 45 and then pushes inwardly on bar 50 thereby imparting a sliding movement to bar 40 and causing pin 42 to throw detent 33 out of engagement with sleeve 20, and permitting the spring 32 to force the yoke 23 and sleeve 20 upwardly to effect the engagement of the clutch'21-15. Asthe bar 50 is released the coin drops cown into the case 12. a

The operator of the car may now drive the car at any desired speed'which is registered accurately by. the speedometer 11, and this reading may be compared with the reading of lack of accuracy, noted; It is understood,

of course, that the rolls and gears must be" The car is driven upon the platform properly proportioned to secure the desired result.

In order to enable the driver of the car to drive off from the platform when the desired testing has been accomplished a dog and of assembly and operation may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim: 1. A speedomer testing machine comprising, a normally inoperative master speedometer and supporting means therefor,

clutch controlled vehicle actuated'me'ans for operating the speedometer, releasable means automatically engageable with the clutch to hold it in an inoperative position, coin controlled means for releasing said'last mentioned, means, and means rendered operable bythe vehicle for rendering the clutch opera le. I

2. A vehicle speedometer testing machine comprising, a support for a vehicle, anormally inoperative master speedometer and a support therefor, coin controlled vehicle actuated means for rendering the speedometer' operative, rollers mounted in the vehicle support to engage the vehicle drive wheels, and roller actuated means for operating the speedometer. 7

3. A vehicle speedometer testing machine comprising, a vehicle support, a vehicle wheel a actuated shaft mounted therein, a a

master speedometer and a support therefor,

shaft actuated operating means connected thereto and having a clutchinserted therein, coin controlled releaseable means for normally holdingthe clutch in an inoperative position, and means rendered operative for, operating means connecting one of said shafts and said speedometer and having a clutch inserted therein, means for locking the otherrshaft against rotation in areverse direction, coin controlled means for normally holding the clutch in an. inoperative posi- .tion, and means. rendered-operative by the vehicle to move the clutch into anoperative I V 7 position when released. the speedometer 1n the car and its accuracy, or v 5. In a machine of the character described,

vehicle drive wheel actuated shaft connected a speedometer and 'a support therefor, a

thereto to operate the same and having a clutch inserted therein, a housing for the clutch, a detent and means for urging the de tent into engagement with the clutch to normally hold it in an inoperative position, coin controlled means to release the detent from the clutch, a push-rod mounted in the housing, a yoke mounted on the rod and engaging the clutch, a spring mounted on the rod to engage the yoke whereby to advance the yoke and clutch when the latter is released and the rod advanced, and vehicle actuating means for advancing the push-rod to compress the spring.

HENRY G. HAEBERLE.

CLARENCE T. HARRINGTON. 

